"And may an Overulling Providence continue to cause good to come out of evil, justice to be done to all men where injustice has long prevailed, and finally, peace, quiet, and harmony to come out of this terrible confrontation and our country's fiery ordeal." -- Albert Champlin, 105th Ohio, Diary entry of June 19, 1864 (Western Reserve Historical Society)

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Life Interrupts Blogging

It has been quite awhile since my last post on here, but I wanted to assure everyone that I am still here. I have just been a bit preoccupied lately by life.

I don't post too much about my non history life and adventures on here, but five years ago I began dating a wonderful girl named Alison when I was a senior at Hillsdale College. On October 12, she became my wife.

We just got back from our honeymoon in Charleston, SC. I will post some pictures on here soon. Saw lots of amazing sights and of course, couldn't help but see some Civil War sites too!!

About Me

Lifelong student of the Civil War and American History, Park Ranger at Antietam National Battlefield and Gettysburg National Military Park, and die hard fan of the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Philadelphia Flyers (yes, that is an eclectic mix, don't ask me to explain).
[The thoughts and postings on this page are entirely my own and in no way are meant to reflect those of my employers].
Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:13

More About Me...

Hillsdale College, Bachelor of Arts, 2009-Double majored in history and politics-Graduated cum laude with departmental honors in history

John Carroll University, Master of Arts, 2011-Main focus on American Civil War, Secondary focuses on American Revolution and Modern Europe-Master's Thesis analyzed motivations and experiences of Ohio soldiers in Sherman's army during the Atlanta Campaign of 1864

-Park Ranger, Antietam National Battlefield, 2010-present

-Park Ranger, Gettysburg National Military Park, 2013-

- First annual recipient of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation's Dr. Joseph L. Harsh Memorial Scholarship Award. My research topic is the Strength, Composition, and Experience of the Army of the Potomac at Antietam (2012).

"Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."

--Abraham Lincoln, Address at Cooper Union, February 27, 1860

"This is essentially a people's contest. On the side of the Union, it is a struggle for maintaining in the world that form and substance of government whose leading object is to elevate the condition of men; to lift artificial weights from all shoulders; to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all; to afford all an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life. Yielding to partial and temporary departures, from necessity, this is the leading object of the Government for whose existence we contend."

--Abraham Lincoln, July 4, 1861 message to Congress

"Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget that we say this. We know how to save the Union. The world knows we do know how to save it. We--even we here--hold the power, and bear the responsibility. In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free--honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just-- a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless."